Packaging-machine.



R. B. POLK. PACKAGING MACHINE.

` APPLIOATION FILED 0012.5, 190e. y 904,643.

Patented N0v.24, 1908. 4 BHEETS-SHEET l.

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PACKAGING MACHINE.

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R. B. POLK.

PAGKAGING MACHINE.

i APPLICATION FILED O(]'1.5I 1906. Nov- 24,

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R. B. POLK. PACKAGING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 00T.5, 1906.

\ Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

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Ra z/aaPo zic RALPH POLK, OF GREENWOOD, INDIANA.

PACKAGING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. l

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

Application filed October 5, 1906. Serial No. 337,524.

'to produce a machine capable of inserting compressible goods intopackages through openings smaller than the normal dimensions of thematerial to be packaged, the apparatus being more especially designedfor packaging-tomatoes under such conditions that the tomatoes may beinserted whole into standard cans. j

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention, embodying a machinepartielllarly designed for packaging tomatoes.

Figure 1 is a sideelevation; Fig. 2, al

vertical section; Fig. 3, an elevation, on air enlarged scale, of thecompression cylinder; Fig. Ll, a section on line Llf-Lt in Fig. 3, withthe compressors in expanded position; Fig. 5, a similar view showing thecompressors in closed position; Fig. 6, a` vertical sectional detail.showing the cams for operating the feeder and the charger; Fig. 7, avertical sectional detail showing the cams for operating thecan-holder'and the compressor; Fig. 8, a plan of the feeder andcan-holder; Fig. 9, a detail elevation of the automatic weigher; Fig.-10, a detail section on line 10-10 of Fig. 6.

The fundamental feature of my invention resides in the provision ofmeans for reducing the crosssectional area of the material to bepackaged under such conditions that said material is free to expand in aline normal to the compression, and thereafter in-` serting thedistorted material into the package under a pressure normal to the planeof compression, whereby the distorted material is returned substantiallyto its initialcondition after it has entered thev package. Consequently,the heart of my present machine consists of a compressing mechanismcapable, when in an expanded condition, ot receiving a charge ofmaterial and thereaf ter contractible substantially radially of an axisof sullicient length to permit expansion correspondingto the reducedcross-sectional area.

In the drawings, 10`10 indicates av pair of stationary heads betweenwhich are pivotally mounted a plurality of coacting plates 11. Eachplate is pivotally supported at one ed e on bolts 12, which form an axisparalle with the inner face of the plate. The plates are provided attheir pivotal ends with slotted openings 13, adapted to receive thebolts l2, in order to permit a slight yield of the plates relative tothe bolts, and each plate is yieldinly urged outwardly from its pivotalaxis y a spring 14. The outer edge of each plate 11 is thickened at 15and the inner corner or face of this thickened portion is concaved at 16so that, when the several plates are brought to contracted position, theseveral surfaces 16 will form a substantial cylindrical chamber having adiameter equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the openinginto the package in which the goods are to be placed.

The outer edge of each plate is squared to form a surface 17 which litsand slides upon a surface 18 formed on the inner face of the adjacentplate 11 adjacent the pivoted end thereof, the spring 14 serving to keepsurface 17 in contact with surface 18 as the plates 11 aresimultaneously swung upon their pivots 12. In order to simultaneouslymove the plates 11, I provide a ring 20 roi tatably mounted in asuitable supporting frame 21 supported by bolts 22 between the two heads10. Connecting the outer edge of each plate 11 with ring 20 is a link23, which is pivoted at one end to the ring and at its other end to apoint near the outer edge of the adjacent plate 11. Ring 20 is providedwith a suitable arm'24 connected b v a is provided with a centralopening 10 of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of thechamber formed by the expanded compressor plates 11, as shown in Fig. 4.Mounted 4so as to traverse the chamber formed by the compressor plates11 is a plunger 30 mounted in suitable bearings 3l and reciprocated bymeans of a lever-32 connected thereto by suitable links 33. Lever 32 isoperated by means of a itman'33- and cam 34 carried by the sha 27. Inorder to charge the compressor I provide a hopper 35 which hopperdischarges into a reciprocating charger 36 reciprocably mounted betweenaplate 37 and the discharge end of the hopper 35. Charger 36 issubstantially U-shaped in cross section, having high sides and aconnecting bottom but no connection between the sides adjacent the plate37. At

the opposite side, the charger 36 is provided l with a plate 38 theupper edge of which ex tends somewhat above the bottom 36 while thelower end extends considerably below said bottom'36 so thatj Tvhen thecharger is projected upward from the position shown in Fig. 2, plate 38serves to close the discharge end of hopper 35 and temporarily preventthe flow of material from said hopper. Charger 36 is connected by a link39 with a lever 40, which lever is operated by means of a pitman 41 andcam 42 carried by shaft 27. Arranged immediately adjacent opening 10 isa cut-of plate 45'connected b a pitman 46 with a cam 47 carried by sha t48 geared by gears 49 and 50 to shaft 27.

The resent machine is designed for filling cans o ordinary dimensions,and for the purpose of presenting such cans to the compressingmechanism, I provide a can-chute of an ordinarytype capable ofvholding avertical -series of cans and delivering the same to a feeder table 61.Arranged above table 61, between said table and the lower end of chute60 is a rotary head 62 provided in its circumference with a plurality ofcanreceiving pockets 63. Head 62 is carried by vertical shaft 64 so thatthe notches 63 may be presented in succession beneaththe lower end ofchute 60. In order to move the head 62 step-by-step I provide a pawl andratchet mechanism 65 connected by a pitman 66 with a cam 67 carried byshaft 48.

At one point the table 61 is providedwith a notch 7 0 which extendstoward the center of the table 61 but not so deep as the aiotch 63.yMounted in this notch is a can-receiver 71 carried by a rock shaft '72,which rock shaft is connected by a lever 7 3 and pitman 74 with a cam 75carried by shaft 48. -In

order that the package may be held tightly against the cut-oii guide 45pitmanl 74 is connected to lever 73 through the medium of a spring 76and the throw of the cam 75 is more than suflicient to swing the arm 7lfrom receiving to holding position so that,l

when in holding position, as shown in full lines of Fig. 2, the spring76 will be compressed.

VThe operation is as follows; The material to be packed, say tomatoes,is placed in hopper 35 and a quantity approximating suiiicient to illthe paeka e ows therefrom into the charger 36. lW ere tomatoes are beingpacked they are first scalded as usual to loosen the skins and the skinsremoved by any desirable process. Assumingvthe various parts to be inthe position shown in full lines inF ig. 2, the several movements are asfollows: Plunger 30 will rst be rapidly withdrawn to the right and theplates 11 will be swung upon their pivots 12 to their position shown infull lines in Fig. 4. .Arm 71 will be thrown down to the position shownin fulllines in Fig. .2 and the can 80, as it moves downward with lever71, will have its inner lower corner brought into engagement with aninclined finger 82, which will serve to shove said can into adjacentnotch 63 of head 62 as indicated in.

dotted lines in Fig. 8. Immediately prior to this movement the cut-oplate 45 will have been moved up so as to close'opening 10. Thereuponcam 67 operates pitman 66 and the pawl and ratchet mechanism 65 to movehead 62 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 8, thus moving acan from the lower end of chute 60 into registry with the notch of thereceiving platform and onto platform of lever 71', the center of saidcan lying inside of the outer end of said receiving platform. Thereuponcam 7 5 swings lever 71 upward, the can by gravity, set

ltling into. the can-receiving pocket 71 of the lever 71 and beingbrought to the position shown in full lines of Fig. 2 tightly againstthe cut-olf plate guide 45. While this movement is taking placel charger36.

is moved lupward so as to bring plate 38 over the mouth of the hopper 35and bring the goods within the charger into alinement with the opening10, whereupon the goods -i'low down into the compressing chamber betweenthe expanded plates 11, lying loosely therein in a row. Thereupon cam26, through pitman 25, shifts ring20 to swing the plates 1l upon theirpivots 12 to the positions' shown in Fig. 5. These plates move like aniris diaphragm simultaneously toward the center of thecompressionchamber so as to reduce its cross section. Dur- "in'g this movement thegoods, within the 'sure normalvto the plane of previous reductionsuiiicient. to expand the goods into the package after they havepassedthrough the small entrance opening thereof. As soon asthis hasoccurred, the various motions already 'described are repeated. As thehead 62 is rotated the filled can is moved ico from 'the platform of thelever `7lA into engagement with the guard 90, whichnretain's it 1n itsnotch of head 62 andl when .the can reaches the point .X (Fig. 8) it isin lposition to top z'. e. (any surplus removed will come intoengagement with the edge l94 of the notch 94 and the-movement' of thehead 62 will serve to project the can from platform 92 on to the chute95. If, on the other hand, the can has not received its proper charge byweight it will`not be heavy enough to depress platform 92, and the nextmovement of the head 62 will shift the can on to platform 6l adjacent avertical arige 96 which, as the head moves forward, serves to dischargethe deiicient'can upon the chute 97. In order to regulate the amount fmaterial to be delivered to the package 80, plunger' 30 is provided witha collar 100 longitudinally adjustable on the plunger by means of a setscrew 101, the collar serving to limit the ejecting throw of theplunger. Inrorder to permit this adjustment without changing the cam 34the connection between lever A32 and a link 33 consists in part of aspring 102.

I claim as my invention;

1. In a packaging machine, the combination with a package holder, of amaterial receiver having a'cross-,section greater than that of thepackage mouth and a length greater than that required to receive a`charge, in its original condition, for the package, means for reducingthe cross-section of the receiver to approximate that of the packagemouth, and means for ejecting the material from the collapsed receiverinto the package.

2. In a packaging machine, the combination with a package holder, of amaterial receiver having a cross-section greater than that of thepackage mouth and a length greater than thatrequired to receive acharge, in its original condition, for the package, means for reducingthe cross-section of the receiver to approximate that of the packagemouth, and means for ejecting the material from the collapsed receiverinto the package and subjecting the ejected material to a pressure at anangle to its plane of reduction, whereby the material is caused toapproach' its original condition.

3. In a packaging machine, a receiver formed of a plurality of matingmembers movable toward and from the axis of the receivenand means .formoving said members to reduce the cross-sectional area of the receiverand thereby distort the material withto reduce or increase thecross-sectional area of the receiver', such mating members having anaxial length sutlicient to form a receiver having a length in excess ofthat necessary `te receive, in its original condition, a charge for thepackage, .a package holder, and means for ejecting distorted materialfrom the reduced receiver into a package.

5. In a packaging machine, a receiver formed of a pluralityT of matingmembers movable tou-'ard and from, the axis of the receiver, and meansfor moving said members to vary the cross-sectional area of thereceiver, such mating members having an axial length suflicient to forma receiver having a length in excess of that necessary to receive, inits original condition, a charge for the package, a package holder, andmeans for ejecting distorted material from the reduced receiver into apackage under a pressure at an angle to the plane of distortion wherebythe material is caused to approach its origin al condition afterentering the package.

6. In a packaging machine, a receiver formed of a plurality of matingmembers pivoted upon axes parallel with the axis of the receiver, andmeans for swinging said members toward and from the receiver axis toreduce or increase the cross-sectional area of the receiver, such matingmembers having an axial length sufficient to form a receiver having. alength in excess of that necessary to receive, in its originalcondition, a charge for the package, a package holder; and means forejecting distorted material from the reduced receiver 'into a packageunder a pressure at an angle to the plane of distortion whereby thematerial is caused to approach its original condition after entering thepackage.

7. In a packaging machine, a materialdistorting receiver formed of aplurality of overlapping plates, the end of one co-acting with the innerface' .of the next adjacent plate and the inner .faces thereof formingthe` WallsA of the receiver` a pivotal support for each of. said platessubstantially parallel with the axis of the receiver, and means forswinging said plates simultaneously toward the axis ofthe receiver.

8. In a packaging machine, a materialdistorting receiver formed of aplurality of overlapping platesi each having a transversely yieldingpivotal support parallel with the axis'of the receiver and the free endof each cooperating with the inner face of the next adjacent plate, andmeans for simultaneously swinging said plates on their pivots.A

9. In a. packaging machine, the combination, with a hopper adapted 'tocontain a considerable quantity of material to be packaged, 'a measuringreceptacle communicating with the dischaige outlet of said hopper andhaving a capacity approxiinating the capacity of the package, means forshifting said measuring receptacle relative to the hopper, a collapsiblereceiver having an initial capacity in excess of the capacity of thepackage, and arranged to receive a charge from the measuring receptacle,means for collapsing said collapsible receiver whereby the chargetliereinis distorted and 'reduced in one dimension while free to expandWithin the said receiver in another direction, a .package holder adaptedto hold a package in position to receive material ejected from thecollapsible receiver, and means for ejecting material from the collapsedreceiver into the package. g 10. In a packaging machine, thecombination, With a hopper adapted to contain a :considerable quantityof material to be packaged, a measuring receptacle communicating Withthe discharge outlet of saidliopper and having a capacity approximatingthe capacity of the package, said measuring receptacle bearing suchrelation to the hopper that its movement relative thereto Will eject thesurplus material therefrom Without cutting, means for shifting saidmeasuring receptacle relative to the hopper, a collapsible receiverhaving an initial capacity in excess of the capacity of the package andarranged to receive a 'charge from the measuring receptacle, means forcollapsing said collapsible receiver whereby the charge therein isdistorted and reduced ifi one dimension While free to expand Within thesaid receiverv in another direction, a package holder adapted to hold apackage in position to receive material ejected from the collapsiblereceiver, and means for ejecting material from the collapsed receiverinto the package.'

11. In a packaging machine, the combination, with a hopper adapted tocontain a cosiderable quantity of material to be packaged, a measuringreceptacle communicating with the discharge outlet of said hopper andhaving a capacity approximating the ca- ,pacity ofthe package,.saidmeasuring receptacle bearing. such relation to the hopper that itsmovement relativethereto Will eject the surplus material therefromwithout cutting, means f or shifting said measuringreceptacle relativeto the hopper, a collapsible receiver having an initial capacity 1nexcess of the capacity of the package and 'arranged to receive a chargefrom the measuring receptacle, means for collapsing said collapsiblereceiver whereby the charge therein is distorted vand reduced in onedimension While free to expand Within the said receiver in anotherdirection, a package holder adapted to hold a package in position toreceive material ejected from the collapsible receiver, a plungeradapted to fit the collapsed receiver, and means for causing saidplunger to traverse 4said collapsed receiver-to eject material therefrominto the package. i I

12. In a packaging machine, the combination, with a hopper adapted tocontain a considerable quantity of material to be packaged, a measuringreceptacle communicating with the discharge outlet of said hopper andhaving a capacity approximating the capacity of the package, means forshiftingl said measuring receptacle relative to the hopper, acollapsible receiver having an initial capacity in excess of thecapacity of -the package, and arranged to receive a charge from themeasuring receptacle, means for collapsing said collapsible receiverwhereby the charge therein is distorted and reduced in one dimensionWhile free to expand Withyin the said receiver Vin another direction,l a

collapsible receiver having an initial capacity in excess ofthe-capacityof the package, i

and arranged to receive a charge vfrom the measuring receptacle, meansfor collapsmg said collapsible receiver whereby the charge therein isdistorted and reduced in one d imension while free to expand Withintli'e said receiver in anotherdirection, la package depackages from said-delivering means, and means for moving said package holder from`livering means, a. package holder to receive 3 receiving positioninto-position 'to hold'the v package for reception of material from' thecollapsible receiver.v

14. I n a packaging machine, the combination, with a hopper adapted tocontaina considerable quantity of material to be packaged, a measuringreceptacle communicating With the discharge outlet of said hopper andhaving a capacity 'approximating the capacity of the package, saidi'neasuring receptacle bearing such relation to the hopper that itsmovement relative thereto will eject the surplus material therefromWithout cutting, means for shifting said measuring .receptacle relativeto the hopper, a collapsible receiver ha"ing an initial capacity inexcess of the capacity of the package and arranged to receive a chargefrom the measuring receptacle, means for collapsing said collapsiblereceiver whereby the charge therein is distorted and reduced in lonedimension While free to expand within the said receiver in anotherdirection, a package delivering means, a package holder adapted toreceive packages from said delivering means, and means for moving saidpackage holder from receiving position into position to hold the packagefor reception of material from the collapsible receiver.

l5. In a packaging machine, the combination, with a hopper adapted tocontain a considerable quantity of'material to be packaged, a measuringreceptacle communicating with the discharge outlet of said hopper andhaving a capacity approximating the capacity of the package, saidmeasuring receptacle bearing such relation to the hopper that itsmovement relative thereto Will e]ect the surplus material therefromWithout euttin means for shifting said measurin receptac e relative tothe hopper, a collapsible receiver having an initial capacity in excessof the capacity of the package and arranged to receive a charge from themeasuring receptacle, means for collapsing said collapsible receiverwhereby the charge therein is distorted and reduced in one dimensionwhile free to expand within the said receiver in another direction, apackage delivering means, a package holder adapted to receive packagesfrom said delivering means, means for moving said package holder fromreceivin position into position to hold the package or reeeption ofmaterial from the collapsible receiver, a plunger adapted to fit thecollapsed receiver, and means for causing said plunger to traverse saidcollapsed receiver to eject material therefrom into the package.

16. In a packaging machine, the combination, with a hopper adapted tocontain a con- Isiderable quantity of material to be packaged, ameasuring receptacle communicating with the discharge outlet of saidhopper and having a capacity approximating the eapaeitv of the package.`means for shifting said measuring receptacle relative to the hopper, acollapsible receiver having an initial capacity in excess of thecapacity of the package, and arranged to receive a charge from themeasuring receptacle, means for collapsing said collapsible receiverwhereby the charge therein is distorted and reduced in one dimensionWhile free to expand Within the said receiver in another direction, apackagedelivering means, a package holder adapted to receive packagesfrom said delivering means, means for moving said package holder fromreceiving position into position to hold the package for reception ofmaterial from the collapsible receiver, a plunger adapted to t thecollapsed receiver, and means for causing said plunger to traverse saidcollapsed receiver to eject material therefrom into the package.

17. ln a packaging machine, the combination, ot a rotary head adapted toreceive a .succession of packages, a feed chute leading said packages tosaid head, a package holder, means for engaging successive packages withsaid holder and extractingy such packages from and returning ,them tosaid head, a Weighing-platform arranged in the path of movement of thepackages carried by said head, and a pair of discharge chutes oneleading from said wei hing platform and the other from a point eyond theWeighing platform, and means for ejecting packages from the head to saidchute.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal atIndianapolis, Indiana, this 28th day of September, A. D. one thousandnine-hundred and six.

RALPH B. POLK. [L 5.]

Witnesses:

ARTHUR M. Hoon, THOMAS W. MoMmNs. y

